Automatic typewriting machine



Aug. 5 1924. v 1,503,697

T. D. METROPOLE ET AL AUTOMATIC TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed March 15 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet.l

M; fix INVENTORS A TTORNEY.

Aug. 5 1924. 1,503,697

T. D. METROPOLE ET AL AUTOMATIC TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed March 15 1922 2 Sham-Sheet 2 W INVENTORS,

7 ATTORNEY.

TASSO ID. METROPOLE AND TASSOS vItli. COTTAKIS, OF NEW YORK, N: Y.

Anrommc :rnnw'arrme macmn n.

Application filed March 15, 1922'. Serial Iva-543,875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownthat we, TASSO D. Mnrno- POLE and TASSOS M. CUI'I'AKIS, citizens of the United States, residin at New York, in the county and State of ew York, have made certain new and useful Improvement in Automatic T pewriting Machines, ;of

which'the following is a specification.

The invention re ates to automatic typewriting machines, and more especially to, such machines controlled by a controller.

strip and mechanically operated.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the

same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in theappended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts,

. constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

' 2 from the left with certain of t e parts omitted:

Fig.4 is a side elevation of the automatic alternatively-operating feed mechanisms for the two controller strips; and .Fig. 5 is a top plan corresponding to Fig.4.

eferring now in detail to the embodiment of the invention illustrated by way of example in "the accompanying drawings, the invention is shown applied to an ordinary or standard typewriting machine, the mechanism of the present invention being mounted in a base or casing, the typewriting machine being mounted thereon and fixed in position relatively thereto in any suitable manner.

The typewriting machine is indicated by 1, and the usual key lovers are indicated by 2 but one lever being shown in the draw ing. The key levers are pivoted at 3 in the usual manner and have the usual aligning plate 4. These are the usual ke levers on the typewriter and those for e ecting the other functions as well. The typewriting machlne is mounted with the usual feet fitted 1n supports 5, carriedupon the frame or casing o nism.

.Pivotally connected to each of the key levers 10 at 11 is a downwardly depending hnk 12, and in accordance with certain features of the invention, the typ-ewriting machine is operated through these links from one of a plurality of automatic operating mechanisms, or the typewriting machine the automatic operating mecha- I may be used to perforate a controller sheet.

With regard to these features, the present invention is an improvement on that shown in. our co-pendin application Ser. No. 510,210, filed Octo er 25, 1921.

Referrin first to the embodied form of the control or perforating mechanism, the res ective links 12 have pivoted to the lower on s thereof at 13, respectively, levers 14, which are pivotally mounted on a rod 15, extending across between, and supported. the side walls of the casing. A corresponding series of punches 16 are mounted for longltudinal movement in a block 17, be-

neath which the controller strip a passes. The punches 16 are resiliently e stri Lfeans are provided for puttin this punching mechanism into and out o operation, and as embodied, the rod '15 is mounted inelongated slots 20 in the side walls of the casing, and is held in position by wingnuts 21, screw threaded on the ends of, the rod 15-. 'When the rod 15 is in the position of Fi 1, the mechanism is in. the strippunchmg position, but when the rod 15 is moved to the top of the slots 20, the levers 14 will not enga their punches 16, and the punching mec anism is inoperative.

Referring now to the automatic printing mechanism, which causes the typewriting machine to print under the control of the controller stri and as at present preferably embodie there are a series of hellcrank levers 30 loosely pivoted on a rod 31,"mou=nted in the casing side walls, these bell-crank levers 30 corresponding to the ld in re- A tracted position by a corresponding series of springs 18. A die plate 19 is "provided beneath the controller strip to co-operate with the punches 16v in perforating the controller links 12 and the levers 2. The levers have a pin and open slot connection 32 with the corresponding links 12, the end of the lever being slotted or yoked to receive the link.

In accordance with one feature of the invention, the plungers or detectors which cooperate with the controller strip br ng corresponding interponents into position between their bell-crank lever 30 and a universal actuatin bar or bail. As now preferably embodied, a series of plungers 33 are longitudinally reciprocally mounted in apertures in a bar 34, mounted on the casing side walls and extending across therebetween. Loosely and reciprocably mounted in the heads 35 of the plungers 33 are the shanks 36 of the interponents, already referred to. The other ends of the interponents 37 are yoked or slotted to straddle the upwardly projecting arms 38 of the corresponding bell-crank levers 30, the interponent thus having a free, sliding contact or operating relation with the bell-crank lever.

The plungers 33 are resiliently held against the controller strip so that they will find the corresponding perforation, if it exists, by means of corresponding levers 44, having a pin and open slot connection 45 with their plungers, respectively. The levers 44 are pivoted at 46 on a rod mounted in and extending across between the casin side walls. Each of the levers 44 is acte upon by a tension spring 47, fastened to the end of the lever and to a supporting cross rod 48. The levers 44 are also utilized to restore the plungers from the perforations in the controller strip. A platen or supporting plate 49 is provided as a support beneath the controller strip in cooperating with the plungers and has a series of apertures 50 to receive the plungers when they find their perforations.

In the embodied form of plunger-restoring means, a bar or bail 60 extends across above the levers 44, and is mounted at its ends on levers 61, which are pivoted, respectively, on studs 62, mounted on the opposed casing side walls. Springs 63, respectively,

are fixed to the levers 61 and engage in holes 64 in the casing side walls.

Rotatably journaled in the casing side walls is a shaft 68, which carries a pair of cams 69, one near either end thereof, to operate the bar 60 to restore a set plunger 33, that is, to withdraw it. from a perforation in the controller strip.

Referring now to the embodied form of actuating means for the interponents 36, a universal bar 74 is mounted at either end upon the upper end of a bell-crank lever 7 5, pivotally mounted at 76. In the end of the other arm of bell-crank lever 75 is a cam roller 77, which co-operates with a cam 78, fixed on shaft 68, there being one of these cams near each end of the shaft,

The manner of operation of the mechanism just described will be understood from the preceding description, but will be briefly summarized as follows:

When one of the plungers 33 finds a perforation in the controller sheet a, a sprin 47 will press the plunger therethroug-h an thereby the shank 36 of the corresponding interponent will be brought into alignment with the'universal actuator bar 74. On the next movement of this bar, through the revolution of the cams 78, this interponent 36 will be moved longitudinally in the plunger head, and will thereby rock the lever 30, and thereby actuate the corresponding key-lever 2. The interponents whose plungers have not found a perforation in the sheet a will be in the position of Fig. 1, and will be out of the path of the actuator bar.

After the operation just described, the cams 69 will swing the bar or bail 60 downwardly against the action of the spring 63, and will engage the lever 44 of the plunger 33 which has passed throughthe perforation, and will bring it back to the position of Fig. 1, and the controller strip being immediately fed forward, the plunger will rest with resilient pressure upon the face of the controller strip.

Referring now to-the embodied form of intermittent feed mechanism for the controller strip, a feed roller 86 is journaled in the casing side plates, and is provided with sprocket teeth 87, which engage corresponding perforations in the controller strip. Fixed on the shaft 88 of the feed roller is a gear wheel 89 with which meshes the idler pinion 90, which in turn meshes with a gear wheel 91, fixed on a shaft 92, journa-led in the casing wall, and held in position by a collar 93.

Fixed also on shaft 92 is a ratchet wheel 94. (lo-operating with the ratchet. wheel is a spring pawl 95, pivoted at 96 on a lever 97. Lever 97 in turn is pivoted on shaft 92, and at its upper end is provided with a slot 98, in which works a wrist-pin 99 of a crank 100, fixed t-o shaft 68. Thus on each rotation of the shaft 68, lever 97 will have a to and fro reciprocation and on one of these movements it will impart to the controller strip the intermittent forwardfeed.

The mechanism controlled and operated by the other controller strip may be the same as, or substantially similar to, thatjust described, and the description need not be repeated, the corresponding parts being represented in the drawings by the same reference numerals with the exponent a. One controller strip is for controlling the printing of addresses, and the other for controlling the printing of the body of the letter.

Referring now to the present preferred embodiment of the means for alternatively operating the two controller strips, that is, for stopping one and feeding the other, and then automatically stopping the second and feeding the first (Figs. 4 and 5), the shafts 68 and 68 of the controller feed cylinders are provided, respectively, with beveled gears 110 and 111.

Any suitable driving means may be employed, and as shown, a belt pulley 112 is fixed on a shaft 113, journaled in the frame piece 114. Fixed on shaft 113 is a beveled gear 115 and meshing therewith is a bevel gear 116, fixed on a shaft 117 journaled at 118 and 119 in the frame pieces 120 and 12L Fixed at either end of the shaft 117 are discs 126 and 127, respectively, provided with apertures in their exterior flat faces.

Longitudinally aligned with shaft 117, at the respective ends thereof are two shafts 130 .and 131. Shafts 130 is journaled at 132 and 133 in brackets formed on'the casing wall, and theshaft has fixed thereto a beveled gear 134,'meshing with the beveled gear 111 on shaft 68 of the feeding cylinder forcontroller strip 6. Splined on shaft 130 is a peripherally grooved disc 140, the disc rotating with the shaft but being slidable longitudinally thereon. The disc is provided with a spring pressed pin 141, adapted to enter one of the apertures in the disc 126 on I shaft 117, when disc 140 is moved thereagainst.

A similar mechanism and arrangement is provided for the shaft 131, which need not be described in detail, but is indicated by the same reference numerals with an added exponent a.

Referring now to the embodied form of strip controlled, automatically operating mechanism for alternatively throwing in and out the controller strip feeds, that is, for selectively starting one and stopping the other, a rod or bar 150 is longitudinally reciprocally mounted .in brackets 133 and 133? and is provided with pins 151 and 152, engaging respectively with the grooves in the peripheries of the discs 140 and 140. The left-hand end of rod 150 is shown rounded and co-operating with a cam 154, fixed on a short shaft 155, journaled in the casing side late. p Fixed also on shaft 155 is a gear pinion 156, meshing with an idler pinion 157, which in turn meshes with a gear wheel 158, fixed on a shaft 159, journaled in the casing side plate, and extending therethrough. On the other side of the side plate a ratchet wheel 164 is fixed to shaft 159, and a pawl arm is likewise pivoted on the shaft and is provided with a spring pawl 166, co-operating with the ratchet wheel. Connecting with the pawl lever 165 by an open slot and pin connection 167 is a lever 168, pivoted at 169 &

upon the casing. Lever 168 has an open slot and pin connection 170 with a lever 171, which is one of the levers 12, or corresponds thereto.

The operation of the mechanism just described is substantially as follows:

The cam 154 has a low, high and 'ntermediate part corresponding to the three positions of the rod 150, that is, with the disc 140 in mesh with its disc 126, or the. intermediate or neutral position, when all the discs are out of mesh, or the other extreme osition when disc 148" is in mesh with its disc 126*. The spring 172 resiliently holds rod 150 to cam 154. The lever 171 and its connections and the gearing to shaft 155 is proportioned so that three actuations of the lever 171 will effect one rotation of the shaft 155.

The lever 171 will be actuated from the mechanism from either controller strip, and may be regardedas in the osition when one of the controller strips is f eding. When it meets its perforation, it will rotate the cam 154 one hundred and twenty degrees, and

will throw the mechanism to a neutral posi-' tion, or from one extreme position to the other, when going from the high to the low of the cam. When the throw is to the neutral position for rod 150, if there is no shift perforation in a controller sheet the mechanism will stop, but if there is a shift perforation at this point, the rod 150 will again immediately shift and start the other controller strip.

Means are provided for feeding forward the paper web between the perforating operations in making the controller strip, and such means may be of any standard or other suitable form, either manually or entirely automatically operated, so far as concerns the general features of the invention. As shown, a simple manually o erated form is provided, wherein a pawl 1 4 (Fig. 3) cooperates with the ratchet wheel 94 already described. This pawl is mounted on a pawl lever 175, which is pivoted concentrically with the ratchet Wheel. This lever has a pin 176 in its end which projects into a slot 177 in the end of an operating lever 178, which lever is pivoted at 179 and has a key 1 80. The spring 181 acts to restore lever 1 8.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the details of construction shown and described, but changes may be be made therein without departin from-the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

What we claim is 1. An automatic typewriting machine comprising a plurality of typebar levers, a plurality of actuating levers respectively connected to the typebar levers, an actuator for said levers, an interponent movable into and out of position to cause the actuator to move the actuating levers, means for presenting and feeding a controller strip, and means upon which the interponent is mounted for finding a perforation in the controller strip and thereby moving the interponent into actuating position.

2. An automatic typewriting machine comprising a plurality of typebar levers, a plurality of actuating levers respectively connected to the typebar levers, a universal actuator for the actuating levers, a plurality of interponents, one for each of the type bar levers, movable into and out of position to cause the actuator to move respective actuating levers, means for presenting and feeding a controller strip, and a plurality of devices upon which the interponents. are respectively mounted for finding corresponding perforations in the controller strip and thereby moving the corresponding interponent into'position to cause the universal actuator to operate the corresponding actuating lever and typebar lever.

3. An automatic typewriting machine including in combination means for feeding and presenting a controller strip, a plurality of typebar levers, a series of levers for actuating the corresponding typebars, a universal actuator therefor, a series of interponents corresponding to the actuating levers, and a plurality of plungers for finding corresponding perforations in the controller strip and thereby mov ing the corresponding interponent into position to cause the universal actuator to operate the corresponding actuating lever and type bar lever.

4. An automatic typewriting machine including in combination means for feeding and presentin rality of type ar levers, a series of levers for actuating the corresponding typebars, a universal actuator therefor, a series. of interponents unconnected to but in operative relation to the various actuating levers, a plurality of plungers for finding corresponding perforations in the controller strip, the interponents being mounted on the various plungers, and being thereby moved into position to cause the universal actuator to operate the corresponding actuating lever and type bar lever.

5. An automatic typewriting machine including in combination means for feeding and presenting a controller strip, a plurality of typebar levers, a series of levers for actuating the corresponding typebars, a universal actuator therefor, a series of interponents unconnected to but in operative relation to the various actuating levers, a plurality of plungers for finding corresponding perforations in the controller strip, the interponents being loosely mounted on the various plungers, and being thereby moved into position to cause the universal actuator to operate the corresponding actuating lever and type bar lever.

a controller strip, a plu-.

6. An automatic typewriting machine including in combination means for feeding and presenting a controller strip, a plurality ofitypebar levers, a series of levers for actuating the corresponding typebars, a universal actuator therefor, a series of interponents unconnected to but in operative relation to the various actuating levers, a plurality of plungers for finding corresponding perforations in the controller strip, the interponents being slidably mounted on the various'plungers, and being thereby moved into position to cause the universal actuator to operate the corresponding actuating lever and type bar lever.

7. An automatic typewritin machine including in combination a type ar actuating mechanism including a lever, an interponent loosely engaging the lever, a plunger cooperating with a erfor'ated controller strip, the interponent eing loosely mounted on the plunger, and an actuator for actuating the lever through the interposed interponent.

8. An automatic typewriting machine including in combination means for presenting and feeding a controller strip, type bar actuating mechanism, including a spring pressed plunger cooperating with the controller strip, an interponent slidably mounted on the plunger and a lever with which the interponent has loose sliding contact.

9. An automatic typewriting machine including in combination means for presenting and feeding a controller strip, typebar levers, actuating levers respectively connected to the typebar levers, a series of interponents cooperating with the actuating levers, and a corresponding series of plungers, the plungers cooperating with the controller strip, a lever for resiliently impelling each plunger against the controller strip and a cam operated universal bar for restoring any plunger which has found a perforation.

10. In an automatic typewriting machine of the type controlled by two alternatively operated controller strips, a continuously operated power element, a clutch for putting either one or the other of the strips into operative engagement with the power element, a rotatable cam for shifting the clutch, and means controlled by a controller strip for rotating the cam.

11. In an automatic typewrlting machine of the type controlled by two alternatively operated controller strips, a continuously operated power element, a clutch for putting either one or the other of the strips into operative engagement with the power element, or for disconnecting both therefrom, a cam, rotatable intermittently in one direction, for controlling the clutch, and means controlled by a controller strip for operating the cam.

12. An automatic typewriting machine including in combination typebar actuating mechanism, means for presenting and feeding a controller strip, an actuator, and a plurality of vertically reciprocable devices,

the lower end of each of which has a plunger for cooperating with the controller strip and the upper end of each of which has an interponent for operatively connecting the actuator with the type bar actuating mechanism.

13. An automatic typewriting machine including in combination typebar actuating mechanism comprising a plurality of verticonnecting the actuator with the appropriate element of said typebar actuating mechanism.

14. An automatic typewriting machine ineluding in combination a plurality of typebar levers, a plurality of vertically and downwardly extending links respectively connected to the typebar levers, laterally extending bent levers respectively connected to the vertical links, means for presenting and feeding a controller strip, an actuator, and a series of vertically reciprocable elements, the upper end of each of which carries an interponent for operatively connecting the actuator and said laterally extending bent levers, and the lower end of which carries a plunger for cooperating with the controller strip.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our names to this specification.

TASSO D. METROPOLE. TASSOS M. COTTAKIS. 

